Tear-off cap



May 11, 1937. s. K. BERK TEAR-OFF CAP Filed Deo. 18, 1956 Sal/56741:

[N VEN T OR A ORNE YS Patented May 1l, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in closures for bottles and other containers and more particularly to means for aiding the removal of portions of said closures.

An object of the invention is the provision of novel means for mutilating the Cell-o-Seal band now generally found on containers of various types and at the same time affording additional 'protection for the primary seal of said containers against unauthorized undetectable tampering with the contents.

Another object is the provision of a secondary cap for a sealed bottle which is adapted to protect the usual strip stamp against accidental tearing during handling.

Other objects and advantages Will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the neck of a sealed bottle to which the invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to the showing in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational vievsr of my device applied to a bottle having a screw threaded closure; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tear-off band before being applied to a bottle.

Num'erous methods of sealing bottles and other containers for liquors, have been developed due to the demand for a seal which Will prevent unauthorized tampering with the contents thereof. It has become the practice of various manufacturersto apply a Cell-o-Seal band to the neck and closure of the sealed bottle which adds greatly to the appearance as well as providing additional security against tampering with the contents thereof. 'I'his band, known to the trade as Cell-o-Seal, molds itself tightly to the bottle and closure, and being extremely tough in texture, makes removal by the ultimate purchaser difficult without the aid of a suitable tool. In

order to aid in the breaking of such a band when Opening the bottle, I have provided a cap l. (Fig. 5) formed of thin sheet metal and adapted to fit snugly over a stopper 8 or screw threaded closure 9 which may be applied to any suitable bottle IIJ. The cap l is circular in form and is vprovided with a depending annular skirt II or flange of sufficient width to provide adequate surface for engaging the upper edge of a Cell-o- Seal band I2 which is placed over the neck of 55 the bottle as the final sealing operation. The

flange II is also adapted to conceal the adjoining edges of thec1osure and bottle neck to provide a smooth connecting surface. The cap 'I is formed with a transverse slot I3 or opening in the top surface I4 extending across the diameter thereof, whereby the strip stamp I 5, required under Federal law, may be placed in direct contact with the stopper 8. The stamp I5 is applied to the bottle with a gum adhesive and extends down either side of the bottle neck. `As indicated in Fig. 3, the cap I is secured thereunder.

A tear strip IE formed as a part of the skirt II extends along the bottle neck and terminates in a finger-piece Il which is enlarged beyond the width of the strip to provide adequate gripping surface. The portion I1 may be imprinted with the manufacturers seal or otherwise decorated to present a pleasing appearance to the prospective purchaser. 'I'he cellulose band I2 is formed with diametrically opposed transparent windows I8 to permit an unhindered view of any serial numbers or other identifying mark appearing on the strip stamp. In order to more easily open the sealed container, the finger-piece Il may be grasped and pulled outwardly and upwardly, which action causes the strip IB to tear the Cell-o-Seal band and thus permit removal of the entire cap, which at the same time destroys the government stamp and exposes the bottle stopper.

Changes may be resorted to Without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a bottle having a neck portion dening a filling opening, a closure for 'sealing said opening, a cap formed of thin sheet metal having a circular top portion provided with a slot extending crosswise thereof and a marginal depending skirt formed integrally therewith, said cap adapted to fit snugly over said closure, the slot thereby exposing a portion thereof, a tear-off strip depending from the lower edge of said skirt and in contact With the neck of said bottle, a finger-piece formed on the lower end of the strip, and a band of frangible material encircling the cap and neck for preventing accidental removal thereof.

2. In combination, a bottle having a neck portion defining a lling opening, a closure for sealing said opening, a cap formed of thin sheet metal enclosing said sealing closure and comprising a circular top portion and a marginal depending annular flange, said flange extending over the space between the closure and bottle least a portion of the outer end of said closure,

said cap comprising a circular top portion having a transverse slot therein and a depending skirt formed about the margin of said top portion, a tear-strip formed integrally with said skirt extending lengthwise of, the neck of the bottle and having an enlarged finger-piece formed at the lower end thereof, and a cellulose band superimposed over the bottle neck and cap above the finger-piece for holding said cap and strip against accidental removal, whereby removal of said band aovavw is accomplished by pulling said strip outwardly and upwardly to tear the band.

4. In combination, a container having a neck portion dening a lling opening. a closure for sealing said opening, the outside diameter of said closure being substantially equal to that of the adjacent neck portion, a cap formed of thin sheet metal and having a circular top portion provided with a transverse slot and an integral depending marginal fiange, enclosing said closure, the edges of said slot forming a channel across the outer end of the closure for the reception of a portion of a strip stamp, a tear-strip formed integrally with said flange and at right angles to the edge of said slot extending along the neck of the bottle and terminating in an enlarged finger-piece, and a cellulose band encircling the bottle neck and concealing the margin of the iiange and tear-strip, whereby removal of said band is accomplished by pulling said strip out outwardly and up upwardly.

SOL K. BERK. 

